CDK5 Inhibitors and Therapeutic Uses Thereof

Abstract

Natural occurring inhibitors of cyclin-dependent protein kinase 5 (Cdk5), isolated from the root of Rhodiola rosea are structurally different from the known Cdk inhibitors. They show selectivity among different Cdks and efficacy to inhibit Cdk via a mixed-type of inhibition, which should lead to less toxicity and side-effects. They are useful in preventing and treating diseases and disorders associated with aberrant Cdk5 activities, such as acute and / or chronic pain, neuropathic pain, diabetes mellitus, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and neuropathological disorders.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 282,039, filed Dec. 7, 2009.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to new Cdk inhibitors isolated from natural sources for therapeutic uses. More particularly, it relates to compounds that are naturally occurring Cdk5 inhibitors from the plant Rhodiola rosea and their biological activities as Cdk5 inhibitors.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]With today's high throughput chemical synthetic technologies and high efficiency screening methodologies, it may not be difficult to find chemical compounds that show promising biological effects at the cellular level in the laboratory. However, the rate of these compounds becoming clinically useful is very low due to a number of factors. A key factor is their toxicity and side effects, which are often severe and may not be tolerable by the human body during later stages of drug development. In this respect, new compo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]One object of the present invention is to provide a butanol fraction of Rhodiola rosea root having excellent Cdk5 inhibitory activity, and a composition comprising the same.

[0020]In addition to the effect on Cdk5, the treatment method of the present invention also protects neuronal cells from neurotoxicity and apoptosis induced by the amyloid beta peptide (Aβ). Aβ is a cleavage product derived from the amyloid precursor protein (APP), which accumulates as extracellular or senile plaques, the hallmark of AD. While the actual cause of AD remains elusive, Aβ has been implicated in many reports to play a part in the initiation and progression of the disease. Additionally, studies have shown that Aβ is neurotoxic, resulting in neuronal loss and subsequent memory loss and cognitive impairment.

Problems solved by technology

However, the rate of these compounds becoming clinically useful is very low due to a number of factors.

A key factor is their toxicity and side effects, which are often severe and may not be tolerable by the human body during later stages of drug development.

In this respect, new compounds discovered from natural sources that have been used therapeutically for thousands of years have received renewed attention due to the fact that they have been consumed by humans for a long time and thus, their toxicity and side effects are more likely to be more tolerable than purely synthetic compounds.

However, to date, only a few Cdk5 inhibitors have been identified and they are far from being ready for clinical evaluation for neuro-indications.

Yet, there is a lack of promising candidate compounds that can effectively inhibit Cdk5 over other Cdks.

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